@rosemarya As a volunteer mentor who has been following this thread for quite a while, you have already seen what we are going through. My strongest suggestion to you is to identify, if possible, the cause(s) of your kidney disease and build your life plan from there. Secondly, read labels and know what you are ingesting--find out what those words you cannot pronounce actually are. And lastly, make sure you can live according to your plan for life. If you cannot see yourself eating this way 10 years from now, you need to do some adjusting.

For instance, my kidney degeneration is caused by oxalates and has been greatly impeded by my adherence to a low oxalate diet. Additionally, I still maintain: 1) a low carbohydrate diet from long-term brittle diabetes; 2) low fat diet after finding out I do not assimilate fats; 3) low dairy diet; and 4) low fiber diet after diagnosis of gastroparesis, gastric retention and rapid transit. There is some crossover between the diets, but as you can imagine my diet is quite limited. However, after six years it has become habitual.

When I look at a recipe or menu I first look to see if it includes anything I cannot eat. With the current emphasis on healthy eating you might think it would be easy, but, here is a list of current popular trends that I cannot use:

any green leafy vegetable (includes spinach, kale, lettuce, etc.)
root vegetables (potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips)
smoothies (dairy base)
nuts (except walnuts)
peanut butter
all berries (except strawberries)
high fiber fruit (apples, pineapple, etc.)
raw vegetables (salads, carrot sticks, celery, radishes, etc.)

Also, in my opinion, sugar is sugar. Honey, agave, cane sugar, stevia, molasses, brown sugar, raw sugar, and whatever other trendy names they are using now; all convert to dextrose, which I count as sugar.

I had to reset my mind about food. I had used it as a socialization tool. Now I have learned to eat for sustenance. If I am not hungry and a meal is not overdue, I don't take a pastry with my coffee just to make the other person/people feel more comfortable. I may have a fruit cup if one is available.

Blessings to you on your journey.